JOHNSON CITY (July 25, 2013) – Though the curtains may be a few years from rising, seats in the new arts center that East Tennessee State University plans to build are now on sale.

Through ETSU’s “Now Seating” campaign, individuals or organizations can purchase seats in one of three facilities – the 1,400-seat concert hall, a 500-seat theater, and a 250-seat recital hall – that will be housed within the arts center.

Each seat can be sponsored for a tax-deductible gift of $250 and can be named in honor of a person or organization or in memory of a loved one. Those who buy three seats may name a fourth seat without charge if the gift or pledge is paid in full prior to Dec. 31, 2013.

In his 2013-14 budget, Gov. Bill Haslam authorized ETSU to spend $1.5 million to begin planning for the arts center, which is projected to cost approximately $38 million. The university plans to raise $9.5 million in matching funds during the next several months with hope that the remaining dollars will be included in the state’s 2014-15 budget.

“The university’s desire to have its own arts center dates back to more than a quarter-century ago,” said ETSU President Emeritus Dr. Paul Stanton, Jr., who is chairing the ETSU Arts Initiative. “Now, we have the opportunity to make this dream happen. Purchasing a seat is a wonderful way to honor or remember a child, spouse, loved one, or a company or organization and to have that name as a permanent fixture in this new facility.”

ETSU hopes to break ground on the arts center in 2014.

Persons wishing to sponsor a seat may call ETSU University Advancement at (423) 439-4242.